Martin proposed allowing more than 550 class-A stations to apply for status that would get them guaranteed cable carriage, saying that it will boost programming diversity given that many of those are Spanish-language stations.

“Just this week, Congress reminded the FCC of its significant challenges in the face of the looming digital-TV transition," the NCTA said in a statement. "So we are surprised that the chairman again wants to distract the commission and throw a monkey wrench into its transition efforts by tinkering with the law and imposing unnecessary and unconstitutional requirements."

The NCTA, which represents cable operators nationwide, said Congress granted must-carry rights to LPTVs only in limited circumstances, adding, "Requiring cable operators to carry hundreds of class-A low-power stations would violate the Constitution and Congress’ intent while jeopardizing the wide diversity of programming that is already available on cable systems nationwide.”